On Becoming A Mother Review

Since announcing my first pregnancy back in December of last year, I have been inundated with advice, opinions, anecdotes and old wives tales from my friends, my family and even “friendly” strangers. Some of these stories have been silly, some have been completely misaligned with my own opinions or preferences, but many have been incredibly useful for me as a first-time-mom-to-be. I have gratefully accepted all as gestures of solidarity and support.

I have also had many books recommended to me, on topics ranging from healthy prenatal eating, to proper nursing techniques, to helping baby acclimatise himself in this wild and wonderful world in which we live. Common to the motherhood genre are anthologies of stories, customs and folklore from mothers around the world. With my background as a Life Strategies Coach, often working with vulnerable women and children, I hold a natural fascination for exploring these types of anthologies, which explore the wealth of unique approaches to the same life experience whilst also illuminating the ways in which – despite our different cultures, languages or geographic locations – we are so similar to one another.

However, I had been rather underwhelmed by most of the resources I had found, as all too often they merely trivialised these important experiences in womanhood or simply collected these revered traditions and experiences as a fun amusement without ever delving deeper into the why, the how or the who – thus serving only to further alienate me from such an incredible network of other women the world over from whom I could learn and share in this incredible life-altering experience.

It was then that I received a copy of Brigid McConville’s new book “On Becoming a Mother: Welcoming Your New Baby and Your New Life with Wisdom from Around the World”. Published just in time for Mother’s Day this year, this beautiful hardcover book offers a wealth of “traditions, folk songs, stories, crafts, lessons and advice from mothers around the world, from varied economic, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds.”

The stories are curated by award-winning journalist and filmmaker Brigid McConville, who is also the global creative director of the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood. Proceeds from the book support the Alliance, which “aims to inspire and convene advocates who campaign to uphold the right of all women to be safe and healthy before, during and after childbirth, and to ensure that all women realise their rights to be safe and healthy before, during and after childbirth.”

Right away, I knew this book was different. The lovely cover illustration by Anna Morrison depicts a gathering circle of women with large, baby-filled bellies coming together in an array of colour and texture, without sinking into cliché, and even the blurb on the back cover featured such a wealth of unique customs and diverse cultures far more complex and interesting than any of the other books I had yet read.

The book itself is divided into Four Parts: Before Birth; Time for Birth; After Birth; and The “First” Year. Within each of these parts, Ms. McConville explores the basic information that any curious first-time mother would need to know, supplemented with useful and informative depictions of how women in specific cultures or with specific beliefs approach that aspect of motherhood. These depictions range from detailed socio-economic analysis of the challenges facing the women, to explanations of the roots of certain traditions and how they have evolved or are incorporated in today’s modern way of life, to practical tips and resources including intriguing techniques, lullabies and recipes.

The language used is straightforward yet evocative, and is at all times inclusive and uplifting of the many varied women and their experiences. Wherever possible, Ms. McConville has injected actual examples or opinions from the women with whom she has worked, and personal stories, testimonials or letters are liberally scattered throughout the book in featurettes or sidebars.

“On Becoming a Mother” is at all times and in every way a useful guide book and an empowering and encouraging book for women and mothers everywhere as well as for the people who love and support them. Its stories serve to unite us and to bring awareness of the ways in which many women are still desperately in need of support and then offers the resources and information necessary for us to learn more or to become involved should we be so inspired – though at no point in time does it become “preachy” or condescending. At all times, the tone of this book is one of love, courage, curiosity and sisterhood.

I was fascinated to learn of the types of traditions in which other women are engaged, and have learned so many useful tidbits of information that I know will be helpful to me as I journey along for the first time toward motherhood. At the same time, I have already shared this book with some of my girlfriends: some who are not yet at the motherhood stage of their lives, one who just recently became a mother for the first time, and a couple who have already been mothers for numerous years – each of them has been as impressed and intrigued by the book as I was.

The book itself is beautiful, inside and out – just as the women celebrated within it are. With illustrations on every one of its nearly three hundred pages, actual testimonials and advice, and a wealth of information and inspiration, I would highly recommend this lovely book to every mother and mother-to-be as not only a great resource but as a great reminder of just how connected we all can – and should – be with the many other wonderful and inspiring women throughout our communities and indeed, throughout the world.

For more information on Brigid McConville’s work with the White Ribbon Alliance, including the challenges still facing mothers throughout the world – an astounding eight hundred mothers die every day even still in what are largely preventable childbirth-related deaths – and how you get involved, please visit www.whiteribbonaliance.org.

The beautiful hardcover edition of “On Becoming a Mother” is available for sale through One world Publications at www.oneworld-publications.com for just $18.50 CAD ($16.99 USD), with proceeds supporting the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood.